PREVIEW | Cork stand in Limerick’s way of second ever All-Ireland Senior Football quarter-final

Limerick seek to reach only a second ever All-Ireland quarter-final this weekend.

A fourth Munster derby of the season awaits Limerick this Sunday as they take on Cork in the second round of the All-Ireland Qualifiers.

Pairc Ui Chaoimh will host the clash where the victors will advance to the All-Ireland quarter-finals to take on one of Galway, Dublin or Derry.

The home and away agreement between the county means Limerick will be on the road once more, yet to play at home or in a neutral venue in this championship.

Defeat was Limerick’s lot last time out as they were put to the sword by Kerry in the Munster final, losing by 1-28 to 0-8 in Killarney.

That game followed successive wins over Tipperary and Clare in the province as Limerick reached a first final in twelve years.

Limerick’s task will be to rebound against a Cork team whom they will share a division with next Spring.

The Rebels were also defeated by Kerry, losing by twelve points in the Munster semi-final. Cork did respond with a 2-12 to 2-8 win over Louth in the qualifiers last weekend and will bring momentum into the game after victory over the Division 3 champions.

2022 Championship Campaign thus far

Limerick:

• MSFC QF: Bt Clare 4-1 on penalties (2-16 to 1-19 AET)
• MSFC SF: Bt Tipperary 2-10 to 0-10
• MSFC Final: Lost to Kerry 1-28 to 0-8

Cork:

• MSFC SF: Lost to Kerry 0-23 to 0-11
• AIQ R1: Bt Louth 2-12 to 2-8

And despite reaching the Munster final, Limerick are outsiders for the clash with their dreadful recent record against Cork.

Their last win over the Rebels came back in 2003, with that game bridging a 38-year gap to their maiden success over the Leesiders.

Cork will also be buoyed by big victories in the Munster semi-finals in 2019 and notably last year where the visitors stifled a confident Limerick in the TUS Gaelic Grounds.

Nonetheless, the offer of a place in only a second ever All-Ireland quarter-final will be a huge carrot to Billy Lee’s men who continue to focus on themselves in their development:

“We just focus on ourselves. You could spend a lot of time talking about the opposition and you can fail to turn up on the day yourself so the full focus has to be on ourselves.”

Billy Lee

It’s a tall task but given Limerick’s recent progress, this can be the next step in their development with Croke Park in the championship just one game away.

Limerick take on Cork in the All-Ireland Senior Football Championship Qualifier second round this Sunday 12 June in Pairc Ui Chaoimh at 1.30pm.